Back to EveryPatent.com
United States Patent | 5,636,575 |
Hoehn ,   et al. | June 10, 1997 |
A retarder apparatus controls the speed of a free, load-carrying conveyor as it moves in a predetermined direction along a path of travel defined by the track in which the conveyor runs. Paddle members are spaced at regular intervals along an endless movable chain and each, in turn, is positioned in the track in the path of the next conveyor. Upon engagement of an individual paddle by an oncoming conveyor, the chain is instantly accelerated to the speed of the conveyor and this motion is transmitted through a chain sprocket to a centrifugal brake which, if a normal speed is being exceeded, limits the speed of movement of the chain to hold back a runaway conveyor and return it to the normal speed.
Inventors: | Hoehn; Robert A. (Monticello Township, KS); Pollard; Mark A. (Plattsburg, MO) |
Assignee: | Lico, Inc. (Kansas City, MO) |
Appl. No.: | 557853 |
Filed: | November 14, 1995 |
Current U.S. Class: | 104/250; 104/172.4; 104/249; 188/62 |
Intern'l Class: | B61K 007/02 |
Field of Search: | 104/26.2,172.1,172.4,249,257,250 198/814,832.2 188/38.5,62,180,181 R,181 C |
690814 | Jan., 1902 | Acklin | 104/249. |
1541667 | Jun., 1925 | Southward et al | 104/250. |
1766537 | Jun., 1930 | Prescott | 104/249. |
2582316 | Jan., 1952 | Doehler | 188/62. |
2715369 | Aug., 1955 | Doehler | 104/26. |
3503471 | Mar., 1970 | Balke | 104/249. |
3565012 | Feb., 1971 | Nearman | 104/172. |
3705554 | Dec., 1972 | Aksamit | 104/250. |
4089406 | May., 1978 | Teske et al | 198/814. |
4901648 | Feb., 1990 | Moore et al | 104/250. |
Foreign Patent Documents | |||
1131255 | Jun., 1962 | DE | 140/26. |